Survey of Sunderland Parent Carers on their experiences during the Covid-19 lockdown. Context Sunderland Parent Carer Forum is the DfE recognised forum for Sunderland, and is part of a wider regional and National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF). We promote parent voice through participation and co-production. We sit on working groups with statutory organisations. We also run coffee mornings and events to allow opportunities for families to get together, see what help and support is out there, and feedback their experiences. The forum also provides information and training for families. During the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown, the opportunities to connect with parent carers, and our partners has been understandably limited to phone calls, Facebook or emails. Through this, we recognised that SEND families were facing added stress and pressure on top of their everyday caring; the forum decided to run a survey to try and capture some of the issues and experiences of Parent Carers of CYP with SEND in Sunderland. The survey ran on SurveyMonkey for 7 days (03/05/20 to 10/05/20); we received responses from 90 parent carers but some families don’t have online access, while others are too stressed/stretched to be able to complete the survey at this time, so please bear that in mind when looking at the results below. Key Findings • General Wellbeing/Mental Health - Some families have adapted really well to the change in routine and home schooling, others initially coped well, but as the lockdown continues, are now starting to struggle. Lack of sleep, frustration at being home constantly and stress levels are increasing. Some CYP behaviour is worsening (as indicated in the respondents comments), and parents are seeing some increase in the child hitting out at others. Parent Carers are now having to deal with being a teacher on top of their everyday caring and parenting responsibilities, without having access to respite, PA’s, therapies, etc. Families are anxious and worried going forward, the risks of contracting the virus and financial pressures are now adding to the stress and worries. • Shopping/Finances – From the start of lockdown, families have found it extremely difficult to get an online delivery slot, as their families are not considered vulnerable according to government guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Increased queuing times can make supermarket visits extremely stressful for single parent families who have no choice but to the children with them. Item limits have sometimes meant larger families have had to make increased visits to supermarkets. Many own brand items have disappeared (not just out of stock) The following pages detail the survey results; The last 3 questions in the survey required text based responses, and we have shown these exactly as written by the survey respondents so as not to change the context or meaning of any responses, and most importantly, to show that this is about real people and their experiences, not just data or numbers. Sunderland Parent Carer Forum Covid-19 survey May 2020 Page 1 of 16 Survey Results Number of CYP with SEND in the household? five two 1% 20% three 3% one 76% Type of setting child attends? Home Ed Early Years PRU 8% 7% 5% Mainstream 38% Special 42% Other support received prior to school closures : Do they have an EHCP? • Carers am & evening. Respite. 1 to 1 in school • 1 to 1 in mainstream other • EHCP in progress x 3 18% • Private SALT and private OT • Short breaks, home respite from hospital (both on hold during Covid-19) • Speech & language /ed psych • CYPS, Early Help Yes • Autism outreach No 57% • EHCP drafted 25% • Learning support assistant in lessons • draft issued - difficulty with school placement so no current support • Full time 1-1 at school and 2-1 when out in the community • PA support in holidays, respite • Respite and direct payment Sunderland Parent Carer Forum Covid-19 survey May 2020 Page 2 of 16 Do you have a social worker? yes 26% no 74% Is there another adult in the household to support you? no 30% yes 70% Do you have other CYP without SEND? 47% 53% Sunderland Parent Carer Forum Covid-19 survey May 2020 Page 3 of 16 Do you have mobility, disability or other health issues yourself (but not on the government's vulnerable list)? Does the parent carer have a disability/mobilty issue? yes 41% no 59% Are there any keyworkers in the household? yes 37% no 63% Have you, or any member of your household received a shielding letter from the government, or classed as vulnerable according to government guidelines? Received shielding letter? yes 18% no 82% Sunderland Parent Carer Forum Covid-19 survey May 2020 Page 4 of 16 If you/partner work, which of the following apply? Work ( other ) = kinship Other carers and student 10% Furloughed normal working 27% 13% key workers 10% Self employed but unable to Working from work Home 21% 19% Were you offered a school place? yes 35% no 65% Did you accept the place? yes 19% no 81% Sunderland Parent Carer Forum Covid-19 survey May 2020 Page 5 of 16 If you refused the offer, please state the reason why? (The comments below are exactly as entered into the survey by parent carers) • Worried • Had no offer and as shielding I wouldn’t send child to risk bringing home virus • Did not refuse child’s own school offer place only on days we work • All family are vulnerable with health and underlying health conditions • We didn't refuse but it was put to us we should only send our son to school if it was absolutely necessary and no one was at home to take care of him. • Didn't need it once furloughed • Husband has MND and is shielding • We can look after our daughter between us • Child was on vulnerable list • To ensure my child is appropriately shielded. • Safety although we were absolutely refused a place initially. During a courtesy call from school with the Headteacher during week 5 we were casually offered a place if it was needed. By this point we declined this place due to significant concerns then around child's safety regarding transmission of Covid 19 and increasing fatalities etc. • I am off work so thought it safe to keep her at home • Was told cause my husband works from home he can look after the boys while he’s working even though we are both key workers • Other siblings able to care for him • Shielded • I never refused offer but we are finalising EHCP- originally offered ASD unit but this has changed to special school however no places available. • Doctors advice • Felt obliged to refuse as it was made clear it was a last resort and it was for keyworker children. My child has regressed massively since lockdown and I now wish they could attend without me feeling guilty for wanting them in school • Lack of social distancing for a child with very poor hand hygiene already. • As am a cleaner and don't start working until 3.30pm • My husband has a shielding letter so is at home. Felt my children would be safer at home • Less risk at home, school Cohort mixed ages and more like childcare than education and would be more stressful and risky for children. • It was school based and my child accesses an off-site provision. He is also in the high risk category • Decided to socially isolate all the family (4) • Place was initially offered then withdrawn due to my child being in a high risk category for COVID 19 • Partner was furloughed and at home • Transport issues • Scared Sunderland Parent Carer Forum Covid-19 survey May 2020 Page 6 of 16 Have you received regular phone calls (welfare checks) Comments from the setting? • Only 2 since lockdown • No • Our SENCO and our son’s teacher is in no regular contact his teacher Mrs Etherington 37% has been very supportive. • One phone call during Easter holidays • We have had 1 call • 1 child has yes 63% • Only for one child • Have had a phone call from my youngest son’s school only Sunderland Parent Carer Forum Covid-19 survey May 2020 Page 7 of 16 Following on from the previous question about welfare checks, we asked parents to comment on the name of the school so we could highlight good practice, and perhaps identify areas for improvement. Barbara Priestman • gone above and beyond, total praise for them • communication & help freely available; teacher rings and checks up often • 2 phone calls per week – form tutor and designated person Barnes Juniors Biddick Academy Blackfell Primary Burnside Academy Columbia Grange East Herrington Primary Espa College South Hill Farringdon School Fatfield Academy Gillas Lane Primary Academy Hetton Lyons Primary • Fantastic support, daily messaging available Mon-Fri • SENCo & school have been amazing. Provided spaghetti for her evening meal (only thing she eats) when I couldn’t get it in the shops; no pressure but supporting the learning that is happening. Highfield Academy Hillview Infant Academy Hillview Junior Academy Hylton Castle Primary Keelmans Way MillHill Monkwearmouth Academy New Silksworth Academy Newbridge Academy North View Academy Northern Saints Our Lady Queen of Peace – Only one phone calls so far, no offers of help; work sent home is unsuitable for needs of child, no alternate work issued or offered. Oxclose Primary Academy and the medical provision Percy Hedley Portland Academy RC school, Houghton Springboard Futures St Roberts of Newminster St Roberts of Newminster – no phone calls, no emails, no offers of help or support at all St John Bosco St Paul’s CE Primary Sunderland College Sunningdale School Thornhill Academy Thornhill Park Usworth Colliery Venerable Bede Academy Wessington Primary School Willow Fields Primary Other • School provides home learning • No requirement to call non EHCP children.